Rezum Minimally Invasive Treatment for BPH
In the spectrum of BPH treatments, minimally invasive, in-office BPH therapy is a very compelling option. There are several different in-office technologies used to reduce the size of the prostate, most revolving around the destruction of excess prostatic tissue. Dr. Kapadia prefers a device known as Rezum, which uses water vapor (steam) to destroy this prostatic tissue. Qualifying patients generally experience excellent and lasting results up to 5 years, with significant symptom reduction. After five years, or whenever symptoms begin to recur, the procedure can be performed again, or patients can opt for a more invasive solution, such as a bipolar TURP.
How Rezum BPH Treatment works
After a consultation and an appropriate diagnosis, Dr. Kapadia will discuss the various BPH treatment options, as they relate to each person’s specific case. Patients will then be scheduled for an in-office procedure. Once at the office, patients will receive a sedative to reduce discomfort throughout the procedure.
A small tube-like device is passed through the urethra until it reaches the prostate. This device deploys steam to induce tissue death. A tiny camera system allows Dr. Kapadia to visualize and treat the appropriate areas of the prostate.
The entire procedure lasts about 15 minutes and requires very little in the way of recovery. Patients will return home on the same day and have few, if any, lifestyle restrictions. Some discomfort and continued urinary symptoms are normal in the four to six weeks after the procedure. However, this will begin to diminish as the body resorbs the treated prostatic tissue. Patients should experience significant improvement within six to eight weeks.
The Benefits of Minimally Invasive Rezum BPH Treatment
● Excellent safety profile
● Excellent effectiveness data up to five years post-procedure
● Does not preclude an additional Rezum procedure, Aquablation, Urolift or a TURP
● Often reduces the need for disruptive medication
● Does not require a surgical procedure or implants
Comparison to Urolift™
In your research about BPH treatments, you may have learned about Urolift, a heavily marketed procedure approved to treat BPH. While Urolift can be effective, it uses implants to mechanically pull prostatic tissue back and ultimately reduce symptoms. If the procedure fails, the prostate will return to its former state. Further, Urolift is most often performed in a surgery center, potentially making it more expensive to the patient, even within their insurance network. Dr. Kapadia believes in a stepped approach to the treatment of BPH and recognizes that minimally invasive, in-office procedures are a low-risk and potentially high-benefit option that most men can opt to undergo.
Potential Risks of Rezum BPH Therapy
As with any procedure, Rezum is not without risk. That said, the risk profile for this kind of in-office procedure is very low and most patients are very satisfied with their results. To learn more about the potential risks of the procedures, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kapadia.
Unfortunately, many men do not know about the breadth of in-office options available to them and often believe that surgery or more invasive procedures are their only hope. As such, we encourage you to visit with Dr. Kapadia and learn more about the procedures we perform and whether they may benefit you.